Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended October 27, 2012

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From                     to                     

Commission File Number: 001-34918

 

 

VERA BRADLEY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Indiana   27-2935063

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2208 Production Road

Fort Wayne, Indiana

  46808
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(877) 708-8372

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes   ¨     No   x

The registrant had 40,562,103 shares of its common stock outstanding as of December 6, 2012.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   
Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited)   
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 27, 2012, and January 28, 2012      4   
  Consolidated Statements of Income for the Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011      5   
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011      6   
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011      7   
  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements      8   
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      13   
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      21   
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures      21   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   
Item 1A.   Risk Factors      22   
Item 6.   Exhibits      22   

 

 

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Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical or current fact included in this report are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements refer to our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, strategies, future performance, and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” and “likely” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, revenues, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, and financial results, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth, initiatives, or strategies, or the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected, including:

 

  possible adverse changes in general economic conditions and their impact on consumer confidence and consumer spending;

 

  possible inability to predict and respond in a timely manner to changes in consumer demand;

 

  possible loss of key management or design associates or inability to attract and retain the talent required for our business;

 

  possible inability to maintain and enhance our brand;

 

  possible inability to successfully implement our growth strategies or manage our growing business;

 

  possible inability to successfully open and operate new stores as planned;

 

  possible inability to sustain levels of comparable-store sales; and

 

  possible adverse changes in the cost of raw materials and labor used to manufacture our products.

We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating plans and forecasts, which are based upon detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results.

For a discussion of these risks and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements, please refer to “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.

We caution you that the risks and uncertainties identified by us may not be all of the factors that are important to you. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Vera Bradley, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     October 27,
2012
    January 28,
2012
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,468      $ 4,922   

Accounts receivable, net

     46,866        38,097   

Inventories

     135,311        106,967   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     9,758        8,343   

Deferred income taxes

     8,784        8,010   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     205,187        166,339   

Property, plant, and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $48,677 and $41,872, respectively

     76,941        52,312   

Other assets

     1,844        862   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 283,972      $ 219,513   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 36,683      $ 27,276   

Accrued employment costs

     12,283        15,738   

Other accrued liabilities

     17,737        15,297   

Income taxes payable

     58        1,705   

Current portion of long-term debt

     73        89   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     66,834        60,105   

Long-term debt

     35,294        25,095   

Deferred income taxes

     4,371        4,205   

Other long-term liabilities

     8,408        6,101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     114,907        95,506   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock; 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, without par value; 200,000 shares authorized, 40,562 and 40,507 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

     —          —     

Additional paid-in-capital

     75,113        73,590   

Retained earnings

     94,061        50,320   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (109     97   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     169,065        124,007   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 283,972      $ 219,513   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended      Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
     October 29,
2011
     October 27,
2012
     October 29,
2011
 

Net revenues

   $ 138,346       $ 121,149       $ 378,584       $ 326,328   

Cost of sales

     58,118         55,471         164,442         144,578   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     80,228         65,678         214,142         181,750   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     53,598         45,365         148,622         124,474   

Other income

     941         1,206         4,660         6,229   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     27,571         21,519         70,180         63,505   

Interest expense, net

     172         288         515         933   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     27,399         21,231         69,665         62,572   

Income tax expense

     9,657         8,269         25,924         24,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 17,742       $ 12,962       $ 43,741       $ 37,819   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

     40,534         40,507         40,527         40,507   

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

     40,574         40,540         40,563         40,538   

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.44       $ 0.32       $ 1.08       $ 0.93   

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.44       $ 0.32       $ 1.08       $ 0.93   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended      Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 

Net income

   $ 17,742      $ 12,962       $ 43,741      $ 37,819   

Cumulative translation adjustment

     (189     47         (206     121   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 17,553      $ 13,009       $ 43,535      $ 37,940   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 43,741      $ 37,819   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation of property, plant, and equipment

     7,424        6,992   

Provision for doubtful accounts

     370        375   

Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment

     25        —     

Stock-based compensation

     2,198        1,116   

Deferred income taxes

     (548     (54

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (9,139     (4,703

Inventories

     (28,489     (14,382

Other assets

     (2,397     (239

Accounts payable

     9,407        (11,063

Income taxes payable

     (1,647     (10,010

Accrued and other liabilities

     1,292        1,018   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     22,237        6,869   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property, plant, and equipment

     (32,114     (11,316
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (32,114     (11,316
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Payments on financial-institution debt

     (70,750     (28,000

Borrowings on financial-institution debt

     81,000        26,700   

Payments on vendor-financed debt

     (66     (61

Tax withholdings for equity compensation

     (736     —     

Other

     —          76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     9,448        (1,285
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (25     121   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (454     (5,611

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     4,922        13,953   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 4,468      $ 8,342   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1. Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation

Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vera Bradley, Inc. Except where context requires or where otherwise indicated, the terms “Company” and “Vera Bradley” refer to Vera Bradley, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.

Vera Bradley is a leading designer, producer, marketer, and retailer of stylish, highly functional accessories for women. The Company’s products include a wide offering of handbags, accessories, and travel and leisure items. The Company generates net revenues by selling products through two reportable segments: Direct and Indirect. The Direct business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products through the Company’s full-price and outlet stores in the United States; pop-up stores and permanent shop-in-shops in Japan; its websites, verabradley.com and verabradley.co.jp; and its annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As of October 27, 2012, the Company operated 64 full-price stores and 11 outlet stores. The Indirect business consists of sales of Vera Bradley products to approximately 3,300 specialty retailers, department stores, and independent e-commerce retailers.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been omitted. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012, filed with the SEC.

The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company has eliminated intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.

Fiscal Periods

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. References to the fiscal quarters ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, refer to the thirteen-week periods ended on those dates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-05, Comprehensive Income – Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the Statement of Shareholders’ Equity. Instead, the Company must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. The guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. In accordance with this guidance, we have presented two separate but consecutive statements, which include the components of net income and other comprehensive income.

In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The guidance requires additional disclosures, including disclosures related to the measurement of Level 3 assets. The guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is applied prospectively. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

2. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares represent outstanding restricted stock. The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended      Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
     October 29,
2011
     October 27,
2012
     October 29,
2011
 

Numerator:

        

Net income

   $ 17,742       $ 12,962       $ 43,741       $ 37,819   

Denominator:

        

Weighted-average number of common shares (basic)

     40,534         40,507         40,527         40,507   

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards

     40         33         36         31   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of common shares (diluted)

     40,574         40,540         40,563         40,538   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.44       $ 0.32       $ 1.08       $ 0.93   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ 0.44       $ 0.32       $ 1.08       $ 0.93   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of October 27, 2012, there was an aggregate of 0.1 million additional shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units that were excluded from the diluted share calculations because they were anti-dilutive. As of October 29, 2011, there were no additional shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units that were excluded from the diluted share calculations.

 

3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date:

 

  Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

  Level 2 – Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.

 

  Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions.

The classification of fair value measurements within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement.

The carrying amounts reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables approximate fair value at October 27, 2012, because of their short-term nature.

The carrying amount for the amended and restated credit agreement (“credit agreement”) approximates fair value at October 27, 2012 as the interest rates of these borrowings fluctuate with the market. The credit agreement falls within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

4. Inventories

The components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

 

     October 27,
2012
     January 28,
2012
 

Raw materials

   $ 25,877       $ 10,748   

Work in process

     1,009         692   

Finished goods

     108,425         95,527   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventories

   $ 135,311       $ 106,967   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

5. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     October 27,
2012
     January 28,
2012
 

Financial-institution debt

   $ 35,250       $ 25,000   

Other borrowings

     117         184   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     35,367         25,184   

Less: Current maturities

     73         89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 35,294       $ 25,095   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 27, 2012, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Company’s $125.0 million credit agreement was 1.3%, and the Company had borrowing availability of $89.8 million under the agreement.

On June 1, 2012, Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. entered into an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment extends the maturity date from October 3, 2015 to June 1, 2017. Certain permitted indebtedness covenants were also amended.

 

6. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for interim periods is based on an estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted to reflect the impact of discrete items. Significant management judgment is required in projecting ordinary income (loss) to estimate the Company’s annual effective tax rate.

The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012 was 35.2%, compared to 38.9% for the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011. The effective tax rate reduction was primarily related to state income tax credits received and discrete items recorded during the thirteen week period. The impact of these items to the effective tax rate was approximately 4% for the quarter.

The effective tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, was 37.2%, compared to 39.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011. The effective tax rate reduction was primarily related to state income tax credits received and discrete items recorded during the third quarter. The impact of these items to the effective tax rate was approximately 1.5% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012. The valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax asset arising from the net operating loss of the Company’s Japanese subsidiary decreased the effective tax rate by approximately 0.4% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, when compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011 due to a lower net operating loss for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012.

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

7. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation under the fair-value recognition provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation. Under these provisions, for its awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units, the Company recognizes share-based compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date of the respective award.

The Company reserved 6,076,001 shares of common stock for issuance or transfer under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan, which allows for grants of restricted stock units as well as other equity awards.

Awards of Restricted Stock Units

During the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, the Company granted a total of 2,353 time-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $0.1 million to certain employees under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan compared to a total of 841 time-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $0.1 million granted in the same period of the prior year.

During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, the Company granted a total of 179,865 time-based and performance-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $5.3 million to certain employees and non-employee directors under the 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan compared to a total of 110,943 time-based restricted stock units with an aggregate fair value of $4.6 million granted in the same period of the prior year. The Company determined the fair value of the awards based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

The time-based restricted stock units vest and settle in shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis, in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date. The Company is recognizing the expense relating to these awards, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over three years.

Performance-based restricted stock units vest upon the completion of a three-year period of time (cliff vesting), subject to the employee’s continuing employment throughout the three-year performance period and the Company’s achievement of annual net income targets during the three-year performance period. The Company is recognizing the expense relating to these awards, net of estimated forfeitures and based on the probable outcome of achievement of the net income targets, on a straight-line basis over three years.

The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock unit activity for the thirty-nine week period ended October 27, 2012 (units in thousands):

 

     Time-based
Restricted Stock Units
     Performance-based
Restricted Stock Units
 
     Number of
Units
    Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
(per unit)
     Number of
Units
    Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
(per unit)
 

Nonvested units outstanding at January 28, 2012

     160      $ 33.49         —        $ —     

Granted

     94        29.76         86        29.62   

Vested

     (80     27.38         —          —     

Forfeited

     (16     29.67         (6     29.62   
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

Nonvested units outstanding at October 27, 2012

     158      $ 34.77         80      $ 29.62   
  

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

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Vera Bradley, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

8. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies arising in the normal course of business, including those relating to product liability, litigation, employee benefits, environmental, and other matters. Management believes that it is not reasonably possible that any of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

9. Segment Reporting

The Company has two operating segments, which are also its reportable segments: Direct and Indirect. These operating segments are components of the Company for which separate financial information is available and for which operating results are evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing the performance of the segments.

The Direct segment includes the Company’s full-price and outlet stores in the United States, pop-up stores and permanent shop-in-shops in Japan, e-commerce activity driven by the Company’s websites, and the annual outlet sale. Revenues generated through this segment are driven by the sale of Company-branded products from Vera Bradley to end customers. The Indirect segment represents activity driven by revenues generated through the distribution of Company-branded products to approximately 3,300 specialty retailers, select national retailers, and independent e-commerce retailers.

Corporate costs represent the Company’s administrative expenses, which include, but are not limited to: executive management, merchandising, human resources, legal, finance, IT, and various other corporate-level-activity-related expenses. All intercompany-related activities are eliminated in consolidation and are excluded from the segment reporting.

The chief operating decision maker evaluates segment operating results based on several indicators. The primary or key performance indicators for each segment are net revenues and operating income. The table below represents key financial information for each of the Company’s reportable segments: Direct and Indirect (in thousands):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 

Segment net revenues:

        

Direct

   $ 64,318      $ 52,026      $ 189,234      $ 144,038   

Indirect

     74,028        69,123        189,350        182,290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 138,346      $ 121,149      $ 378,584      $ 326,328   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating income:

        

Direct

   $ 17,745      $ 13,490      $ 49,376      $ 38,895   

Indirect

     30,301        26,690        76,403        72,478   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 48,046      $ 40,180      $ 125,779      $ 111,373   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation:

        

Segment operating income

   $ 48,046      $ 40,180      $ 125,779      $ 111,373   

Less:

        

Unallocated corporate expenses

     (20,475     (18,661     (55,599     (47,868
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

   $ 27,571      $ 21,519      $ 70,180      $ 63,505   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flows of our Company as of and for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012, and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.

Overview

Vera Bradley is a leading designer, producer, marketer, and retailer of stylish and highly functional accessories for women. Our products include a wide offering of handbags, accessories, luggage, eyewear, travel items, and gifts. Over our 30-year history, Vera Bradley has become a true lifestyle brand that appeals to a broad range of consumers. Our brand vision is accessible luxury that inspires a casual, fun, and family-oriented lifestyle. We have positioned our brand to highlight the high quality, distinctive and vibrant styling, and functional design of our products. Frequent releases of new designs help keep the brand fresh and our customers continually engaged.

We generate revenues by selling products through two reportable segments: Direct and Indirect. As of October 27, 2012, our Direct business consisted of sales of Vera Bradley products through our full-price and outlet stores in the United States; pop-up stores and permanent shop-in-shops in Japan; our websites, verabradley.com and verabradley.co.jp; and our annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In the United States we operated 64 full-price and 11 outlet stores as of October 27, 2012, compared to 47 full-price stores and eight outlet stores as of October 29, 2011. As of October 27, 2012, our Indirect business consisted of sales of Vera Bradley products to approximately 3,300 specialty retailers, substantially all of which are located in the United States, and to department stores and independent e-commerce retailers.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Business

In assessing the performance of our business, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures.

Net Revenues

Net revenues reflect revenues from the sale of our merchandise and from shipping and handling fees, less returns and discounts. Revenues for the Direct segment reflect sales through our full-price and outlet stores in the United States; pop-up stores and permanent shop-in-shops in Japan; our websites, verabradley.com and verabradley.co.jp; and our annual outlet sale in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Revenues for the Indirect segment reflect sales to specialty retailers, department stores, and independent e-commerce retailers.

Comparable-Store Sales

Comparable-store sales are calculated based upon our stores that have been open at least 12 full fiscal months as of the end of the reporting period. Remodeled stores are included in comparable-store sales unless the store was closed for a portion of the current or comparable prior period or the remodel resulted in a significant change in square footage. Some of our competitors and other retailers calculate comparable or “same store” sales differently than we do. As a result, data in this report regarding our comparable-store sales may not be comparable to similar data made available by other companies. Non-comparable store sales include sales from stores not included in comparable-store sales.

Measuring the change in year-over-year comparable-store sales allows us to evaluate how our store base is performing. Various factors affect our comparable-store sales, including:

 

  Overall economic trends;

 

  Consumer preferences and fashion trends;

 

  Competition;

 

  The timing of our releases of new patterns and collections;

 

  Changes in our product mix;

 

  Pricing;

 

  Store traffic;

 

  The level of customer service that we provide in stores;

 

  Our ability to source and distribute products efficiently;

 

  The number of stores we open and close in any period; and

 

  The timing and success of promotional and advertising efforts.

 

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Table of Contents

Gross Profit

Gross profit is equal to our net revenues less our cost of sales. Cost of sales includes the direct cost of purchased and manufactured merchandise, distribution center costs, operations overhead, duty, and all inbound freight costs incurred. The components of our reported cost of sales may not be comparable to those of other retail and wholesale companies.

Gross profit can be impacted by changes in volume, operational efficiencies, such as leveraging of fixed costs, promotional activities, such as free shipping, commodity prices such as cotton, and fluctuations in pricing structures.

Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

SG&A expenses include selling; advertising, marketing, merchandising, and product development; and administrative. Selling expenses include Direct business expenses such as store expenses, employee compensation, and store occupancy and supply costs, as well as Indirect business expenses consisting primarily of employee compensation and other expenses associated with sales to Indirect retailers. Advertising, marketing, merchandising, and product development expenses include employee compensation, media costs, creative production expenses, marketing agency fees, new product design costs, public relations expenses, and market research expenses. A portion of our advertising expenses may be reimbursed by Indirect retailers, and such amount is classified as other income. Administrative expenses include compensation costs for corporate functions, corporate headquarters occupancy costs, consulting and software expenses, and charitable donations. SG&A expenses increase as the number of stores increase.

Other Income

We support many of our Indirect retailers’ marketing efforts by distributing certain catalogs and promotional mailers to current and prospective customers. Our Indirect retailers reimburse us for a portion of the cost to produce these materials. Reimbursement received is recorded as other income. The related cost to design, produce, and distribute the catalogs and mailers is recorded as SG&A expense. Other income also includes proceeds from the sales of tickets to our annual outlet sale and the gain on the sale of certain life insurance policies.

Operating Income

Operating income equals gross profit less SG&A expenses plus other income. Operating income excludes interest income, interest expense, and income taxes.

Income Taxes

Our provisions for income taxes for interim reporting periods are based on an estimate of the effective tax rate for each of the periods presented. The computation of the effective tax rate includes a forecast of our estimated ordinary income, which is the annual income from operations before income tax, excluding unusual or infrequently occurring (or discrete) items.

 

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Results of Operations

The following tables summarize key components of our consolidated results of operations for the periods indicated, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net revenues (dollars in thousands):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Statement of Income Data:

        

Net revenues

   $ 138,346      $ 121,149      $ 378,584      $ 326,328   

Cost of sales

     58,118        55,471        164,442        144,578   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     80,228        65,678        214,142        181,750   

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     53,598        45,365        148,622        124,474   

Other income

     941        1,206        4,660        6,229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     27,571        21,519        70,180        63,505   

Interest expense, net

     172        288        515        933   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     27,399        21,231        69,665        62,572   

Income tax expense

     9,657        8,269        25,924        24,753   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 17,742      $ 12,962      $ 43,741      $ 37,819   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Percentage of Net Revenues:

        

Net revenues

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     42.0     45.8     43.4     44.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     58.0     54.2     56.6     55.7

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     38.7     37.5     39.3     38.1

Other income

     0.7     1.0     1.2     1.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     19.9     17.8     18.5     19.5

Interest expense, net

     0.1     0.2     0.1     0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     19.8     17.5     18.4     19.2

Income tax expense

     7.0     6.8     6.8     7.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     12.8     10.7     11.6     11.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The following tables present net revenues and operating income by operating segment, both in dollars and as a percentage of our net revenues, and store data for the periods indicated (in thousands, except as otherwise indicated):

 

     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net Revenues by Segment:

        

Direct

   $ 64,318      $ 52,026      $ 189,234      $ 144,038   

Indirect

     74,028        69,123        189,350        182,290   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 138,346      $ 121,149      $ 378,584      $ 326,328   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Percentage of Net Revenue by Segment:

        

Direct

     46.5     42.9     50.0     44.1

Indirect

     53.5     57.1     50.0     55.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  
     October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Operating Income by Segment:

        

Direct

   $ 17,745      $ 13,490      $ 49,376      $ 38,895   

Indirect

     30,301        26,690        76,403        72,478   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 48,046      $ 40,180      $ 125,779      $ 111,373   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less:

        

Corporate unallocated

     (20,475     (18,661     (55,599     (47,868
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27,571      $ 21,519      $ 70,180      $ 63,505   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Thirteen Weeks Ended     Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
    October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Revenues by Segment:

        

Direct

     27.6     25.9     26.1     27.0

Indirect

     40.9     38.6     40.4     39.8

Store Data: (1)

        

Total stores open at end of period

     75        55        75        55   

Comparable-store sales increase (2)

     7.1     7.4     5.7     12.0

Total gross square footage at end of period

     153,515        111,235        153,515        111,235   

Average net revenues per gross square foot (3)

   $ 248      $ 233      $ 750      $ 703   

 

(1) Includes only our full-price and outlet stores. Our first full-price store opened in mid-September 2007 and our first outlet store opened in November 2009.
(2) Comparable-store sales represent the net revenues of our stores that have been open at least 12 full fiscal months as of the end of the period. Increase or decrease is reported as a percentage of the comparable-store sales for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Remodeled stores are included in comparable-store sales unless the store was closed for a portion of the current or comparable prior period or the remodel resulted in a significant change in square footage.
(3) Dollars not in thousands. Average net revenues per gross square foot are calculated by dividing total net revenues for our stores that have been open at least 12 full fiscal months as of the end of the period by total gross square footage for those stores. Remodeled stores are included in average net revenues per gross square foot unless the store was closed for a portion of the period.

 

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Table of Contents

Thirteen Weeks Ended October 27, 2012, Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended October 29, 2011

Net Revenues

For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, net revenues increased $17.2 million, or 14.2%, to $138.3 million, from $121.1 million in the comparable prior-year period.

Direct. For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, net revenues in the Direct segment increased $12.3 million, or 23.6%, to $64.3 million, from $52.0 million in the comparable prior-year period. This growth resulted primarily from a $10.6 million increase in revenues related to additional full-price and outlet stores, including a comparable-store sales increase of $1.6 million, or 7.1%, primarily driven by the improved performance of current product assortment and the expansion of traffic-driving events related to the timing of our seasonal releases, and a $0.3 million increase in e-commerce revenues. The aggregate number of our full-price and outlet stores grew from 55 at October 29, 2011, to 75 at October 27, 2012.

Indirect. For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, net revenues in the Indirect segment increased $4.9 million, or 7.1%, to $74.0 million, from $69.1 million in the comparable prior-year period, driven by the improved performance of current product assortment and growth in the number of department store locations.

Gross Profit

For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, gross profit increased $14.5 million, or 22.2%, to $80.2 million, from $65.7 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased to 58.0% for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, from 54.2% in the comparable prior-year period. The increase as a percentage of net revenues was due to operational efficiencies primarily from less freight expense, prior year opportunistic sale of retired inventory, and lower cost of cotton, partially offset by a $1.2 million charge, related to damaged inventory written off during the quarter.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, SG&A expenses increased $8.2 million, or 18.1%, to $53.6 million, from $45.4 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, SG&A expenses were 38.7% and 37.4% for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. The increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues was due primarily to annualizing fiscal 2012 infrastructure investments made in the second half of last year and increased marketing expenses, some of which were incurred to support the future launch of the baby product line.

Other Income

For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, other income decreased $0.3 million, or 22.0%, to $0.9 million, from $1.2 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in other income was in line with a decrease in associated advertising costs related to mailers for our specialty retailers.

Operating Income

For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, operating income increased $6.1 million, or 28.1%, to $27.6 million, from $21.5 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, operating income was 19.9% and 17.8% for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively.

Direct. For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, operating income in the Direct segment increased $4.3 million, or 31.5%. As a percentage of Direct segment net revenues, operating income in the Direct segment was 27.6% and 25.9% for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. This increase as a percentage of net revenues in the Direct segment was due primarily to improved gross margin, as a result of freight savings within our e-commerce channel.

Indirect. For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, operating income in the Indirect segment increased $3.6 million, or 13.5%. As a percentage of Indirect segment net revenues, operating income in the Indirect segment was 40.9% and 38.6% for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. This increase as a percentage of net revenues in the Indirect segment resulted from both sales-driven leverage of SG&A and improved gross margin.

Corporate Unallocated. For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, unallocated expenses increased $1.8 million, or 9.7%, primarily as a result of higher corporate personnel costs.

Interest Expense, Net

For the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012, net interest expense decreased $0.1 million, or 40.3%, to $0.2 million, from $0.3 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease was due primarily to lower average borrowing levels in the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended October 27, 2012 was 35.2%, compared to 38.9% for the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2011. The effective tax rate reduction was primarily related to state income tax credits received and discrete items recorded during the thirteen week period. The impact of these items to the effective tax rate was approximately 4% for the quarter.

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 27, 2012, Compared to Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 29, 2011

Net Revenues

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, net revenues increased $52.3 million, or 16.0%, to $378.6 million, from $326.3 million in the comparable prior-year period.

Direct. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, net revenues in the Direct segment increased $45.2 million, or 31.4%, to $189.2 million, from $144.0 million in the comparable prior-year period. This growth resulted primarily from a $32.9 million increase in revenues related to full-price and outlet stores, including a comparable-store sales increase of $3.6 million, or 5.7%, a $9.6 million increase in e-commerce revenues due primarily to greater traffic resulting from marketing initiatives, and an increase of $0.1 million in outlet-sale revenues. The aggregate number of our full-price and outlet stores grew from 55 at October 29, 2011 to 75 at October 27, 2012.

Indirect. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, net revenues in the Indirect segment increased $7.1 million, or 3.9%, to $189.4 million, from $182.3 million in the comparable prior-year period, due primarily to the timing change of pattern releases.

Gross Profit

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, gross profit increased $32.3 million, or 17.8%, to $214.1 million, from $181.8 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, gross profit increased to 56.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, from 55.7% in the comparable prior-year period. The increase as a percentage of net revenues was due to operational efficiencies primarily from less freight expense, and positive channel mix, partially offset by increased promotional activity.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, SG&A expenses increased $24.2 million, or 19.4%, to $148.6 million, from $124.4 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, SG&A expenses were 39.3% and 38.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. The increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenues was due primarily to annualizing fiscal 2012 infrastructure investments made in the second half of last year and marketing expenses.

Other Income

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, other income decreased $1.5 million, or 25.2%, to $4.7 million, from $6.2 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease in other income was in line with a decrease in associated advertising costs related to mailers for our specialty retailers.

Operating Income

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, operating income increased $6.7 million, or 10.5%, to $70.2 million, from $63.5 million in the comparable prior-year period. As a percentage of net revenues, operating income was 18.5% and 19.5% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively.

Direct. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, operating income in the Direct segment increased $10.5 million, or 26.9%. As a percentage of Direct segment net revenues, operating income in the Direct segment was 26.1% and 27.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. This decrease as a percentage of net revenues in the Direct segment was due primarily to increased promotional activity, offset in part by a positive channel mix and operational efficiencies.

Indirect. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, operating income in the Indirect segment increased $3.9 million, or 5.4%. As a percentage of Indirect segment net revenues, operating income in the Indirect segment was 40.4% and 39.8% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. This increase as a percentage of net revenues in the Indirect segment resulted primarily from sales-driven leverage of SG&A.

Corporate Unallocated. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, unallocated expenses increased $7.7 million, or 16.2%, primarily as a result of higher corporate personnel and marketing costs.

 

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Table of Contents

Interest Expense, Net

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, net interest expense decreased $0.4 million, or 44.8%, to $0.5 million, from $0.9 million in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease was due to lower average borrowing levels in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012.

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012 was 37.2%, compared to 39.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011. The effective tax rate reduction was primarily related to state income tax incentive received and discrete items recorded during the thirty-nine week period. The impact of these projects on the effective tax rate was approximately 1.5% for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operations. We also have access to additional liquidity, if needed, through borrowings under our $125.0 million credit agreement. Historically, our primary cash needs have been for inventories, payroll, store rent, capital expenditures associated with opening new stores, debt repayments, operational equipment, and information technology. The most significant components of our working capital are cash and cash equivalents, inventories, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current liabilities. We do not believe that the expansion of our Direct business will materially alter the nature and levels of our accounts receivable and inventories, or require materially increased borrowings under our credit agreement, in the near term.

We believe that cash flows from operating activities and the availability of borrowings under our credit agreement or other financing arrangements will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements, anticipated capital expenditures, and debt payments for the foreseeable future.

Cash Flow Analysis

A summary of operating, investing, and financing activities is shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Thirty-nine Weeks Ended  
     October 27,
2012
    October 29,
2011
 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 22,237      $ 6,869   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (32,114     (11,316

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     9,448        (1,285

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation, amortization, deferred taxes, stock-based compensation, the effect of changes in assets and liabilities, and tenant-improvement allowances received from landlords under our store leases.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $22.2 million and $6.9 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. The $15.3 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to higher net income and the timing of tax payments.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures for growth related to new store openings, distribution center expansion, operational equipment, and information technology investments.

Net cash used in investing activities was $32.1 million and $11.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, and October 29, 2011, respectively. The $20.8 million increase in capital expenditures was due primarily to the expansion of the distribution facility and the increased investment in new stores, including the opening of 19 stores during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, compared to 16 stores during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011.

Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2013 are expected to be approximately $36 million, which includes approximately $18 million related to the distribution center expansion.

 

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Table of Contents

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

Financing activities consist primarily of borrowings and repayments under our credit agreement.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $9.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 27, 2012, resulting primarily from $10.3 million of net borrowings under our amended and restated credit agreement. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2011.

Credit Agreement

On October 4, 2010, Vera Bradley Designs, Inc. entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders. The credit agreement provides for a revolving credit commitment of $125.0 million. All borrowings under the credit agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The credit agreement is also guaranteed by Vera Bradley, Inc. and its subsidiaries (other than Vera Bradley Designs, Inc.). The credit agreement requires the Company to comply with various financial covenants, including a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 and a leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1.00. The agreement also contains various other covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of certain indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, and asset sales. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of October 27, 2012.

Borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at either LIBOR plus the applicable margin (ranging from 1.05% to 2.05%) or the alternate base rate (as defined in the agreement) plus the applicable margin (ranging from 0.05% to 1.05%). The applicable margin is tied to the Company’s leverage ratio. In addition, the Company is required to pay a quarterly facility fee (as defined in the agreement) ranging from 0.20% to 0.45% of the revolving credit commitment. At October 27, 2012, the interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement was 1.3%. The Company had borrowing availability of $89.8 million under the agreement as of October 27, 2012.

On June 1, 2012, Vera Bradley Designs Inc., entered into an amendment to the credit agreement. The amendment extends the maturity date from October 3, 2015 to June 1, 2017. Certain permitted indebtedness covenants were also amended.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance-sheet financing or unconsolidated special-purpose entities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.

Certain of the Company’s accounting policies and estimates are considered critical, as these policies and estimates are the most important to the depiction of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and require significant, difficult, or complex judgments, often about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Such policies are summarized in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012. There was no significant change to any of the critical accounting policies and estimates described in the Annual Report.

 

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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income – Presentation of Comprehensive Income. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the Statement of Shareholders’ Equity. Instead, the Company must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. In accordance with this guidance, we have presented two separate but consecutive statements which include the components of net income and other comprehensive income.

In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The guidance requires additional disclosures, including disclosures related to the measurement of Level 3 assets. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is applied prospectively. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As of October 27, 2012, there was no material change in the market risks described in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Disclosure Committee and management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of October 27, 2012.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There has been no material change to our risk factors as previously set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

  a. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

31.1    CEO Section 302 Certification
31.2    CFO Section 302 Certification
32.1    Section 906 Certifications*
101    The following materials from the Vera Bradley, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 27, 2012 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 27, 2012 and January 28, 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. **

 

* Furnished, not filed.
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of SEC Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files included as Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these Sections.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

           

Vera Bradley, Inc.

(Registrant)

Date: December 6, 2012       /s/ Jeffrey A. Blade
     

 

      Jeffrey A. Blade
     

Executive Vice President – Chief Financial and Administrative

Officer (duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

31.1    CEO Section 302 Certification
31.2    CFO Section 302 Certification
32.1    Section 906 Certifications*
101    The following materials from the Vera Bradley, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 27, 2012 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Thirteen and Thirty-nine Weeks ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 27, 2012 and January 28, 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 27, 2012 and October 29, 2011, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. **

 

* Furnished, not filed.
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of SEC Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files included as Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these Sections.

 

24

CEO Section 302 Certification

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael C. Ray, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vera Bradley, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: December 6, 2012

 

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Michael C. Ray

Chief Executive Officer

CFO Section 302 Certification

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Jeffrey A. Blade, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Vera Bradley, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f))for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: December 6, 2012       /s/ Jeffrey A. Blade
      Jeffrey A. Blade
      Executive Vice President—Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Section 906 Certifications

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael C. Ray, the Chief Executive Officer of Vera Bradley, Inc., certify that (i) the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 27, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vera Bradley, Inc. as of the dates and for the periods set forth therein.

 

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Michael C. Ray

Chief Executive Officer

December 6, 2012

Date

I, Jeffrey A. Blade, the Executive Vice President—Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of Vera Bradley, Inc., certify that (i) the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 27, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (ii) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vera Bradley, Inc. as of the dates and for the periods set forth therein.

 

/s/ Jeffrey A. Blade

Jeffrey A. Blade

Executive Vice President—Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

December 6, 2012

Date